Workshop - 'Ukulele Group Lessons - Fall Session

Ukulele Group Lessons
    8-Week Fall Sessions


Date: September 24, 2024 (plus the next 7 Tuesday evenings)

Time: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Eastern Time

Location: Hybrid Presentation -- Your Choice!
   Attend In-Person in Fuquay Varina, NC
   OR Attend Online via Zoom

Pre-Requisite: None! Open to the Public.

Cost:
  * Pay what you think is fair.
  * Voluntary Contributions are deeply appreciated.


All Levels are Welcome!


Learning to Play is Fun & Easy

The 'Ukulele is Fun & Easy to Learn!

Whether you are brand new to music or have been playing the 'ukulele for a while, the 'ukulele group lessons will have something for everyone. This will be a laid-back, casual series of lessons. The goal is to have fun with it.

Kanikapila is a Hawaiian tradition for families and/or friends to get together, play together, and enjoy no-stress music making.

We will start with the basics. We will move into strumming patterns, common chords, and learn to play some great Hawaiian music and maybe even some popular "non-Hawaiian" songs. If there is a song you want to learn to play, let me know and I'll try to include it in the mix.

And, we will go beyond strumming and into fingerstyle playing as well! Each week will build on the previous, but we'll move at a pace so you can absorb it all.

Fall 2024 Session Dates

Learn with the Benefit of Group Energy

Over a series of 8 consecutive Tuesday evenings, we will meet once each week for about 60-90 minutes. If you can join in with me in-studio here in Fuquay-Varina, NC that would be great, and if not, you can join the group online via Zoom.

Group lessons have some added benefits for everyone. You get to hear the questions and answers you may not have thought to ask. You won't feel like you are being put on the spot.

We will learn a few things. We will play together, sing together (you won't be recorded!), and we'll have a little kanikapila! We'll laugh and grow and succeed together.  

What Do I Need?

  • A 'Ukulele
    It can be of any quality... no need to get an expensive 'uke until you know you want to up your game.

    It can be of any the common sizes -- Soprano, Concert, or Tenor.  It's a good idea to feel the different size instruments to find the best fit and best sound for you.

    Your 'uke can be "High-G" or "Low-G" - don't worry if you aren't sure what that means.

    I can provide some suggestions for good, better, and professional-quality brands to consider. Just ask. If you have a music store near you (including Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, or many of the local music stores), they will probably have a decent selection of instruments for you to try.

  • A Tuner
    Clip-on tuners attach to the headstock of the 'ukulele and work well. Fender, SuperSnark, or Ohana are common brands. You can find them on Amazon, Sweetwater.com, or Zzounds.com.

    Alternatively, there are Apps for your phone or tablet that can help tune your instrument. My personal favorite is TE Tuner.

  • A Computer and Webcam
    If you want to join us online, you will need your computer and webcam.

    A separate USB Webcam usually has a better microphone than the built-in laptop's webcam and microphone.

  • A Music Stand (Optional)
    Either a stand alone or table-top stand is a good option depending on whether you want to sit at a table with your computer or have more mobility. One brand I have is "On Stage Stands".  Again, you can most likely find these at Amazon, Sweetwater.com, Zzounds.com, Guitar Center, Sam Ash Music, or just about any local music shop.

    If you prefer to wait, this isn't mandatory, but helpful if you decide you want to keep learning.

  • A 3-Ring Bind (Optional)
    Each week, I will send out by e-mail a song or two or three, and maybe some helpful other handouts. A 3-ring binder and sheet protectors is my go-to way to keep it all organized.

  • A Willingness to Relax, Have Fun, and Not Need to Be Perfect
    This is casual. There is no need to be a perfectionist, and it is ok to make mistakes.

    Carnegie Hall will likely have to wait a bit before we will grace the main concert hall with our full stage show LOL!

The "Catch" of Using Zoom

Zoom is a great tool for connecting over long distances. Along with the benefits, there is a catch when it comes to playing music together. The technical term is "latency", which means there is a delay as the signal comes from me to your computer and back to mine. It is just enough to make playing together not feasible.

So, here's how we will have to adapt.

1) Anyone able to join me here in NC will obviously be able to play together with me in the studio. I schedule the 'Ukulele Classes on Tuesday evenings so anyone attending a weekend class can stay an extra couple of extra days and join the 'Uke Group live in-studio with me.

2) When we practice playing something, one video stream will be the "lead" and everyone else will have to mute to avoid conflicts with timing caused by the latency effect.  In the beginning, I will be the "lead" so you can mute your microphone and play along with the audio coming through your speakers.

3) If there are two or more people attending from the same general area, and you would want to attend together in one space, your location will have the benefit of playing together (but your microphone muted).

As your group gains confidence and feels comfortable enough, your location can have turns playing as the "lead" on a song for the whole class.

In the event you want to host a "satellite classroom", talk to me. I have an option for a wide-view webcam and conference room style microphone/speaker so everyone in one location can be visible (who wants to be), heard, and hear.

Full Disclosure ;-)

I don't want create the illusion of being something I am not. So, I am not a professional musician, nor am I a professional music teacher. That said, music has been a big part of my life since elementary school. I played trumpet and studied music all through elementary school through high school and a few years after. 

For the past 20 years or so, I play an assortment of wooden flutes (Native American Style Flute, Xiao - a Chinese long flute, side-blown flutes, and Anasazi/Pueblo end-blown flutes). I have had the privilege of studying one-on-one for several years with one of my favorite recording artists in that genre.

The 'ukulele is my favorite for the past 15 year or so. I have played with a Chicago-based 'Ukulele Group for many years, and I had private lessons with amazing Hawaiian musicians and recording artists. While I would rate myself an intermediate level player, I have a lot to offer.

Over the years, I found what worked well for me in terms of learning styles in music. I also learned what wasn't effective. My goal is to teach in an easy way, that creates a good structure to learn within. I believe that if you really want to learn an instrument, you need certain practices to develop skills, you need to get an understanding of music, and you need to have fun playing and expressing through a variety of songs and styles.

This will be an experiment as I venture for the first time into teaching others to play.

You Choose What to Pay

Because this is an experiment, I don't want to set a charge. If you can contribute to help offset some of the time and expense that goes into making this available to you, I would be grateful.

Using the "Click to Register" link below, you can make a single contribution for all 8 weeks. You can choose to make a contribution each week.

If you receive value, please consider donating to the cause. If people find value, I will keep making these sessions available so we all grow together.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is for anyone who would like to learn to play the 'ukulele. Any skill level is welcome - newby to experienced. There are no pre-requisites and it is open to the general public. Most of the songs planned are Hawaiian music, and there will also be some "oldies", some folk songs, and more modern songs for variety.

That's fine. This is a casual group lesson. Come when you can, but please enter and leave gracefully out of respect to others.

By strict company policy, we try our best to stay healthy and not to catch it.

If have it or think you might have it, respect others and join from home.

Practice time every day is recommended, but only if you want to improve.

The value you will get out of the sessions is based on what you put into it. 'Ukulele is easy to play, and the development of skills comes out of consistent practice. I will give you a suggested plan for how to practice and what to practice. It is better to play 10 minutes every day than for an hour once per week so you can train your fingers with muscle memory. Ideally, investing 20 or 30 minutes per day will be a great way to make progress.

That said, you won't be "tested" or given a "grade". :-)

The course is limited to 24 seats to permit the best environment for learning this very personal journey. If all the seats have been taken, we will provide a "Interested/Waiting List" form to sign up to be notified. If a seat opens due to a cancellation, the waiting list group will be contacted and the seat will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Reserve Your Place

Pick Your Price

 

  • Register and Let Pono Know to Expect You.
  • Limited Seating - Guarantee Your Spot
  • You Choose Your Own Price!
  • Make a Single Contribution for the Series,
    or Contribute each week.

I can’t even speak Hawaiian, but if you go there and listen to a Hawaiian song, you get captured because it’s so beautiful, like the melody is just gorgeous and you know Bob Marley is on the radio every single day. It’s very reggae-influenced down there. Basically, you haven’t been to paradise if you haven’t been to Hawaii. 

Bruno Mars

Mailing Address

Ke Ala Kahiko
1441 E Broad Street, #337
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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